First few days have been filled with meetings with potential partner orgs who are doing great work here in Sierra Leone.

We met with Talking Drum Studios (TDS) country director Ambrose James and the chief engineer King Fisher. TDS is a community radio station run by Search for Common Ground. http://www.talkingdrumstudio.org/

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) uses media as a principal tool for peace building and to create opportunities for transforming conflict. In Sierra Leone, SFCG established TDS, multi-media studios with multi-ethnic teams of journalists and producers, to stimulate national dialogue around critical issues. TDS produce a wide range of radio and audio programming, along with print articles and videos, in a common ground approach that factors in all the key stakeholders in the conflicts, while also stimulating the search for solutions. TDS-Sierra Leone has been in operation since 2000.

We also met with Barri Shorey | Child and Youth Protection & Development Program Officer for the
International Rescue Committee Sierra Leone

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) http://www.theirc.org/ is going to host our trip out the Kono district. 'Cycle' is a skills training and professional development program for young adults that we are exploring working with.

"One of the first to respond, one of the last to leave. For 75 years, the International Rescue Committee has been a leader in humanitarian relief. We mobilize quickly, bringing sustained support to regions torn apart by violence and deprivation. We provide a fresh start in the U.S. for refugees. And we advocate tirelessly on behalf of the displaced, addressing the root causes of violence and standing up for the world, most vulnerable populations."

Before this trip we had also contacted Arthur Pratt who had done youth drama training in rehabilitation programs for the IRC. We also learned he is Pastor Arthur Pratt and is currently working with street children in Freetown.

excited for these relationships to grow and develop. more to come soon...

...still searching a faster connection to share photos...

best,
WeOwnTV production crew